Ken Costa on the Importance of Knowing Your Why

today's on seminary resource is brought today's on seminary resource is brought to you by aware three at a where three to you by aware three at a where three to you by aware three at a where three their goal is to help your church build their goal is to help your church build their goal is to help your church build connections using mobile technology they connections using mobile technology they connections using mobile technology they help you extend church beyond sunday help you extend church beyond sunday help you extend church beyond sunday mornings by putting it in the palm of mornings by putting it in the palm of mornings by putting it in the palm of everyone's and learn more about how a everyone's and learn more about how a everyone's and learn more about how a custom mobile app can help you improve custom mobile app can help you improve custom mobile app can help you improve engagement communication and generosity engagement communication and generosity engagement communication and generosity at at at WWE where three that's the number three WWE where three that's the number three WWE where three that's the number three Comm Comm Comm [Music] [Music] [Music] welcome to the unseen airy podcast are welcome to the unseen airy podcast are welcome to the unseen airy podcast are you looking for practical ministry help you looking for practical ministry help you looking for practical ministry help to drive our ministry further faster to drive our ministry further faster to drive our ministry further faster have a sinking feeling that your have a sinking feeling that your have a sinking feeling that your ministry training didn't prepare you for ministry training didn't prepare you for ministry training didn't prepare you for the real world hey you're not alone join the real world hey you're not alone join the real world hey you're not alone join thousands of others have pursuit of thousands of others have pursuit of thousands of others have pursuit of stuff that we wish they had taught in stuff that we wish they had taught in stuff that we wish they had taught in seminary buckle up and let's get started seminary buckle up and let's get started seminary buckle up and let's get started with this week's on seminary podcast with this week's on seminary podcast with this week's on seminary podcast well happy Thursday everybody its rich well happy Thursday everybody its rich well happy Thursday everybody its rich purged from the unsub inori podcast purged from the unsub inori podcast purged from the unsub inori podcast thank you so much for tuning in we're thank you so much for tuning in we're thank you so much for tuning in we're celebrating today and I know what you're celebrating today and I know what you're celebrating today and I know what you're saying what are we celebrating hard to saying what are we celebrating hard to saying what are we celebrating hard to believe but the unsub inary podcast is believe but the unsub inary podcast is believe but the unsub inary podcast is is three years old this month while is three years old this month while is three years old this month while we're celebrating over a hundred and we're celebrating over a hundred and we're celebrating over a hundred and eighty different episodes interviews eighty different episodes interviews eighty different episodes interviews with church leaders really who are doing with church leaders really who are doing with church leaders really who are doing some pretty amazing things and I'm just some pretty amazing things and I'm just some pretty amazing things and I'm just so glad that you've decided to tune in so glad that you've decided to tune in so glad that you've decided to tune in and we're doing something special all and we're doing something special all and we're doing something special all month we're doing this really cool thing month we're doing this really cool thing month we're doing this really cool thing where we are interviewing leaders from where we are interviewing leaders from where we are interviewing leaders from around the world see most of our around the world see most of our around the world see most of our interviews have been with leaders from interviews have been with leaders from interviews have been with leaders from the states because you know 95 there are the states because you know 95 there are the states because you know 95 there are more percent of the people who listen in more percent of the people who listen in more percent of the people who listen in the thousands you know about five the thousands you know about five the thousands you know about five thousand listeners a week listen into thousand listeners a week listen into thousand listeners a week listen into this and the vast majority of them are

this and the vast majority of them are this and the vast majority of them are from the states but what I want to do is from the states but what I want to do is from the states but what I want to do is take an entire month where we learn from take an entire month where we learn from take an entire month where we learn from leaders around the world in context that leaders around the world in context that leaders around the world in context that really are maybe more adverse to the really are maybe more adverse to the really are maybe more adverse to the gospel than our part of the world and gospel than our part of the world and gospel than our part of the world and I'll learn from them about you know the I'll learn from them about you know the I'll learn from them about you know the ministry that's happening in their part ministry that's happening in their part ministry that's happening in their part of the world and really ask them to help of the world and really ask them to help of the world and really ask them to help us apply those lessons to our church and us apply those lessons to our church and us apply those lessons to our church and today is no exception we're starting today is no exception we're starting today is no exception we're starting with Ken Kosta he is the chairman of with Ken Kosta he is the chairman of with Ken Kosta he is the chairman of alpha it's an amazing organization from alpha it's an amazing organization from alpha it's an amazing organization from the UK that's really been doing some the UK that's really been doing some the UK that's really been doing some amazing work around the world and amazing work around the world and amazing work around the world and actually we're going to be doing two actually we're going to be doing two actually we're going to be doing two episodes a week starting on Monday we've episodes a week starting on Monday we've episodes a week starting on Monday we've got an incredible leader from Japan that got an incredible leader from Japan that got an incredible leader from Japan that you're going to want to tune in for and you're going to want to tune in for and you're going to want to tune in for and hear about what it's like to reach that hear about what it's like to reach that hear about what it's like to reach that part of the world part of the world part of the world I are we doing this because we're I are we doing this because we're I are we doing this because we're getting ready for the launch of my very getting ready for the launch of my very getting ready for the launch of my very first book which comes out on November first book which comes out on November first book which comes out on November first it's called unreasonable churches first it's called unreasonable churches first it's called unreasonable churches ten churches whose zagged while others ten churches whose zagged while others ten churches whose zagged while others zigged and saw impact because of it I zigged and saw impact because of it I zigged and saw impact because of it I want to see your church reach more want to see your church reach more want to see your church reach more people than you've ever reached before people than you've ever reached before people than you've ever reached before and so we're putting together this and so we're putting together this and so we're putting together this series of podcasts and the book really series of podcasts and the book really series of podcasts and the book really to celebrate you and to celebrate the to celebrate you and to celebrate the to celebrate you and to celebrate the things that we're hoping will happen in things that we're hoping will happen in things that we're hoping will happen in your church so we please tune in all your church so we please tune in all your church so we please tune in all month to tell your friends about this month to tell your friends about this month to tell your friends about this special podcast series and then also go special podcast series and then also go special podcast series and then also go to unset Maneri calm forward slash to unset Maneri calm forward slash to unset Maneri calm forward slash unreasonable to get on the waitlist we unreasonable to get on the waitlist we unreasonable to get on the waitlist we will be talking about the book all month will be talking about the book all month will be talking about the book all month but I want you to join a special late but I want you to join a special late but I want you to join a special late list where well those will be the people list where well those will be the people list where well those will be the people that will find out you know the most that will find out you know the most that will find out you know the most up-to-date information and we'll find up-to-date information and we'll find up-to-date information and we'll find out first when we're launching the book

out first when we're launching the book out first when we're launching the book so you can do that by simply just going so you can do that by simply just going so you can do that by simply just going to unset Maneri calm forward slash to unset Maneri calm forward slash to unset Maneri calm forward slash unreasonable well I hope you enjoyed unreasonable well I hope you enjoyed unreasonable well I hope you enjoyed today's interview it's going to be today's interview it's going to be today's interview it's going to be amazing it's with Ken caustic n is an amazing it's with Ken caustic n is an amazing it's with Ken caustic n is an incredible leader who literally has had incredible leader who literally has had incredible leader who literally has had a global influence through his a global influence through his a global influence through his organization alpha are you going to hear organization alpha are you going to hear organization alpha are you going to hear a lot more about alpha and the amazing a lot more about alpha and the amazing a lot more about alpha and the amazing work that they're doing but let's listen work that they're doing but let's listen work that they're doing but let's listen in and listen closely for what you could in and listen closely for what you could in and listen closely for what you could apply to your church about what it would apply to your church about what it would apply to your church about what it would mean to reach your community thank you mean to reach your community thank you mean to reach your community thank you so much for being a part of the unsub so much for being a part of the unsub so much for being a part of the unsub inary community over these last three inary community over these last three inary community over these last three years and I look forward to the next years and I look forward to the next years and I look forward to the next three years and what that will have in three years and what that will have in three years and what that will have in store thanks for joining us for this store thanks for joining us for this store thanks for joining us for this special anniversary month this is the special anniversary month this is the special anniversary month this is the unset maneri podcast stuff you wish they unset maneri podcast stuff you wish they unset maneri podcast stuff you wish they taught in seminary we've got Ken Kosta taught in seminary we've got Ken Kosta taught in seminary we've got Ken Kosta with us he's the chairman of alpha with us he's the chairman of alpha with us he's the chairman of alpha international was an international international was an international international was an international banker has done a lot in his life and banker has done a lot in his life and banker has done a lot in his life and I'm just really excited to have it's I'm just really excited to have it's I'm just really excited to have it's always nice to have somebody from across always nice to have somebody from across always nice to have somebody from across the pond so Ken welcome to what caused the pond so Ken welcome to what caused the pond so Ken welcome to what caused it very very good to to be able to talk it very very good to to be able to talk it very very good to to be able to talk to you and talk to all the people that to you and talk to all the people that to you and talk to all the people that are listening to your podcast even if I are listening to your podcast even if I are listening to your podcast even if I have a slightly on Downton Abbey accent have a slightly on Downton Abbey accent have a slightly on Downton Abbey accent it's so funny i have this running joke it's so funny i have this running joke it's so funny i have this running joke that i like to do when i meet meet folks that i like to do when i meet meet folks that i like to do when i meet meet folks from the UK i'll say you know your from the UK i'll say you know your from the UK i'll say you know your accent its it is what part of Texas are accent its it is what part of Texas are accent its it is what part of Texas are you from and and you would be a over the you from and and you would be a over the you from and and you would be a over the years the the reactions i get to that years the the reactions i get to that years the the reactions i get to that you know a little bit of a shock but you know a little bit of a shock but you know a little bit of a shock but anyway so why don't you tell us a bit anyway so why don't you tell us a bit anyway so why don't you tell us a bit about yourself k noticed a sense of your about yourself k noticed a sense of your about yourself k noticed a sense of your story yeah I'd love to thank you so much

story yeah I'd love to thank you so much story yeah I'd love to thank you so much so I grew up in South Africa grew up in so I grew up in South Africa grew up in so I grew up in South Africa grew up in the in the horrible years when the the in the horrible years when the the in the horrible years when the apartheid system was was really still apartheid system was was really still apartheid system was was really still going there really everything within me going there really everything within me going there really everything within me as a young student rebelled against the as a young student rebelled against the as a young student rebelled against the sort of injustice of it all left South sort of injustice of it all left South sort of injustice of it all left South Africa with not really any sort of any Africa with not really any sort of any Africa with not really any sort of any degree of faith came over to England degree of faith came over to England degree of faith came over to England came to Cambridge University faith came came to Cambridge University faith came came to Cambridge University faith came alive began to see that you know there alive began to see that you know there alive began to see that you know there is a real sense of a God who cares for is a real sense of a God who cares for is a real sense of a God who cares for justice which makes a difference to justice which makes a difference to justice which makes a difference to one's life and I thought I you know I one's life and I thought I you know I one's life and I thought I you know I want to make a difference i read law and want to make a difference i read law and want to make a difference i read law and theology at Cambridge University guy theology at Cambridge University guy theology at Cambridge University guy read theology because I just wanted to read theology because I just wanted to read theology because I just wanted to see whether the enthusiasm with which see whether the enthusiasm with which see whether the enthusiasm with which one sort of took on the faith was one sort of took on the faith was one sort of took on the faith was actually had any kind of rational basis actually had any kind of rational basis actually had any kind of rational basis mhmmm and I realized then that you know mhmmm and I realized then that you know mhmmm and I realized then that you know if if the ology isn't something to do if if the ology isn't something to do if if the ology isn't something to do with a practical life of an ordinary with a practical life of an ordinary with a practical life of an ordinary person its of navy store and so I I then person its of navy store and so I I then person its of navy store and so I I then went into what we call the City of went into what we call the City of went into what we call the City of London which is the finance district of London which is the finance district of London which is the finance district of London had been there for 40 years still London had been there for 40 years still London had been there for 40 years still there I became chairman of to a major there I became chairman of to a major there I became chairman of to a major financial institutions and at the same financial institutions and at the same financial institutions and at the same time time time was very active in holy trinity church was very active in holy trinity church was very active in holy trinity church which is largest anglican in the UK which is largest anglican in the UK which is largest anglican in the UK preaching their writing and preaching their writing and preaching their writing and also just taken on being Dean of the also just taken on being Dean of the also just taken on being Dean of the leadership College London hmm which is leadership College London hmm which is leadership College London hmm which is there to try to help young Christians

there to try to help young Christians there to try to help young Christians particular 20s and 30s to make sense of particular 20s and 30s to make sense of particular 20s and 30s to make sense of the workplace hmm so that they are not the workplace hmm so that they are not the workplace hmm so that they are not constantly only at the mercy of what constantly only at the mercy of what constantly only at the mercy of what they might hear on a Sunday wonderful is they might hear on a Sunday wonderful is they might hear on a Sunday wonderful is that may be that may be that may be but it does it does need you need some but it does it does need you need some but it does it does need you need some extra tools particularly in the stress extra tools particularly in the stress extra tools particularly in the stress stressful workplace but that there is at stressful workplace but that there is at stressful workplace but that there is at the moment so you know I've got a little the moment so you know I've got a little the moment so you know I've got a little mantra which says my workstation is my mantra which says my workstation is my mantra which says my workstation is my worship station hmm when we learn that worship station hmm when we learn that worship station hmm when we learn that these things run together that's that's these things run together that's that's these things run together that's that's great so my lovely wife who has just great so my lovely wife who has just great so my lovely wife who has just completed a PhD in the study of the completed a PhD in the study of the completed a PhD in the study of the effects of music on elder people who effects of music on elder people who effects of music on elder people who fortunately i'm not i'm not a candidate fortunately i'm not i'm not a candidate fortunately i'm not i'm not a candidate yeah and four children and we live in yeah and four children and we live in yeah and four children and we live in london nice very good why i really london nice very good why i really london nice very good why i really appreciate that one of the things I you appreciate that one of the things I you appreciate that one of the things I you know tried to encourage people over the know tried to encourage people over the know tried to encourage people over the years I actually can I was in the years I actually can I was in the years I actually can I was in the marketplace for a little bit when I marketplace for a little bit when I marketplace for a little bit when I before I you know jumped into you know before I you know jumped into you know before I you know jumped into you know vocational ministry and you know I've vocational ministry and you know I've vocational ministry and you know I've always tried to encourage people over always tried to encourage people over always tried to encourage people over the years if you if you read scripture the years if you if you read scripture the years if you if you read scripture it seems like God is more at work in it seems like God is more at work in it seems like God is more at work in reaching people in the marketplace than reaching people in the marketplace than reaching people in the marketplace than he is in holy places if you look he is in holy places if you look he is in holy places if you look throughout scripture God is calls people throughout scripture God is calls people throughout scripture God is calls people when they're in their day jobs whether when they're in their day jobs whether when they're in their day jobs whether they're you know out working in a field they're you know out working in a field they're you know out working in a field and there's a burning bush or whether and there's a burning bush or whether and there's a burning bush or whether they're fishermen and you know Jesus is they're fishermen and you know Jesus is they're fishermen and you know Jesus is calling them or even if their tax calling them or even if their tax calling them or even if their tax collectors it seems like God pursues collectors it seems like God pursues collectors it seems like God pursues people in the marketplace and I think people in the marketplace and I think people in the marketplace and I think sometimes we can you know we can forget sometimes we can you know we can forget sometimes we can you know we can forget that I think it's absolutely right and that I think it's absolutely right and that I think it's absolutely right and the fact of the matter is if we want to

the fact of the matter is if we want to the fact of the matter is if we want to see a revival which we all long for of see a revival which we all long for of see a revival which we all long for of faith in Jesus Christ growing it will be faith in Jesus Christ growing it will be faith in Jesus Christ growing it will be because ordinary men and women in their because ordinary men and women in their because ordinary men and women in their workplaces become the evangelists for workplaces become the evangelists for workplaces become the evangelists for the patient's it can't be done by the the patient's it can't be done by the the patient's it can't be done by the past as much as we love the pastor's past as much as we love the pastor's past as much as we love the pastor's Verger and they themselves agree so uh Verger and they themselves agree so uh Verger and they themselves agree so uh right it's it's a little bit and I right it's it's a little bit and I right it's it's a little bit and I always tease my pastor friends with one always tease my pastor friends with one always tease my pastor friends with one little thing with you did Jesus turned little thing with you did Jesus turned little thing with you did Jesus turned up you would have expected him at least up you would have expected him at least up you would have expected him at least to have one if not two rabbis what to have one if not two rabbis what to have one if not two rabbis what religious leaders amongst 12 you didn't religious leaders amongst 12 you didn't religious leaders amongst 12 you didn't mmm that's a good point be single one of mmm that's a good point be single one of mmm that's a good point be single one of them was came from the workplace oh yeah them was came from the workplace oh yeah them was came from the workplace oh yeah absolutely maybe that's some hidden absolutely maybe that's some hidden absolutely maybe that's some hidden message yeah absolutely well we've been message yeah absolutely well we've been message yeah absolutely well we've been you know taking time out to kind of hear you know taking time out to kind of hear you know taking time out to kind of hear about the spiritual climate of various about the spiritual climate of various about the spiritual climate of various countries i wonder if you can kind of countries i wonder if you can kind of countries i wonder if you can kind of give us the sense help us understand give us the sense help us understand give us the sense help us understand kind of the spiritual climate of of kind of the spiritual climate of of kind of the spiritual climate of of England of the UK well that is England of the UK well that is England of the UK well that is unfortunately depressing and I wouldn't unfortunately depressing and I wouldn't unfortunately depressing and I wouldn't want to depress you um in the last month want to depress you um in the last month want to depress you um in the last month for the first time ever I mean you know for the first time ever I mean you know for the first time ever I mean you know for what over a thousand years for what over a thousand years for what over a thousand years those who regard themselves as having those who regard themselves as having those who regard themselves as having into the censuses saying that their into the censuses saying that their into the censuses saying that their religious affiliation is none the nuns religious affiliation is none the nuns religious affiliation is none the nuns as we call it as we call it as we call it exceed those who would have identify exceed those who would have identify exceed those who would have identify themselves as christian that's themselves as christian that's themselves as christian that's profoundly serious and it is it's a profoundly serious and it is it's a profoundly serious and it is it's a trend that we've noticed over the years trend that we've noticed over the years trend that we've noticed over the years and it's one that personally I think we

and it's one that personally I think we and it's one that personally I think we need to address very seriously need to address very seriously need to address very seriously particularly to a young generation and particularly to a young generation and particularly to a young generation and trying to make sense of you know what trying to make sense of you know what trying to make sense of you know what the gospel is to a mountain generation the gospel is to a mountain generation the gospel is to a mountain generation mm-hmm now what you've obviously seen mm-hmm now what you've obviously seen mm-hmm now what you've obviously seen that that trend happened over a number that that trend happened over a number that that trend happened over a number of years we see that happening on this of years we see that happening on this of years we see that happening on this side of the pond as well what have been side of the pond as well what have been side of the pond as well what have been some of the signposts that you've kind some of the signposts that you've kind some of the signposts that you've kind of seen you know the evidence of that of seen you know the evidence of that of seen you know the evidence of that obviously there's altima tlie the obviously there's altima tlie the obviously there's altima tlie the statistical reality of that but what are statistical reality of that but what are statistical reality of that but what are some of the the ways that's working its some of the the ways that's working its some of the the ways that's working its way out in your culture way out in your culture way out in your culture well the weird thing is the well the weird thing is the well the weird thing is the continued desire for understanding continued desire for understanding continued desire for understanding spirituality and spiritual truth that is spirituality and spiritual truth that is spirituality and spiritual truth that is undiminished undiminished undiminished we've seen greater investment by people we've seen greater investment by people we've seen greater investment by people into our into our into our ethical investments we've seen an ethical investments we've seen an ethical investments we've seen an increase of all those wanting to join increase of all those wanting to join increase of all those wanting to join political causes with a small p and make political causes with a small p and make political causes with a small p and make later to the environment or to justice later to the environment or to justice later to the environment or to justice that may be that may be that may be but we've seen a decline in but we've seen a decline in but we've seen a decline in wanting to become involved in a church wanting to become involved in a church wanting to become involved in a church because the whole understanding of a because the whole understanding of a because the whole understanding of a church has got a negative view sadly church has got a negative view sadly church has got a negative view sadly which one of the things that we're which one of the things that we're which one of the things that we're trying to do in alpha through the new trying to do in alpha through the new trying to do in alpha through the new Alpha film series in speech to that Alpha film series in speech to that Alpha film series in speech to that generation and to create the sort of

generation and to create the sort of generation and to create the sort of reality of what true life in Jesus reality of what true life in Jesus reality of what true life in Jesus Christ really is absolutely and this is Christ really is absolutely and this is Christ really is absolutely and this is probably a great way to kind of pivot probably a great way to kind of pivot probably a great way to kind of pivot what is it that you know alpha is first what is it that you know alpha is first what is it that you know alpha is first of all for folks that don't know alpha of all for folks that don't know alpha of all for folks that don't know alpha which I which is always a surprise when which I which is always a surprise when which I which is always a surprise when I bump into leaders that haven't heard I bump into leaders that haven't heard I bump into leaders that haven't heard of alpha you know why don't you give us of alpha you know why don't you give us of alpha you know why don't you give us a description alpha and then maybe can a description alpha and then maybe can a description alpha and then maybe can you give us a sense of how God is using you give us a sense of how God is using you give us a sense of how God is using alpha in in the UK to see people take alpha in in the UK to see people take alpha in in the UK to see people take steps closer to him sure so alpha is steps closer to him sure so alpha is steps closer to him sure so alpha is basically a ten-week called some basically a ten-week called some basically a ten-week called some introduction to the Christian faith introduction to the Christian faith introduction to the Christian faith which was developed by a great friend of which was developed by a great friend of which was developed by a great friend of mine called Nikki Gumbel and it has a mine called Nikki Gumbel and it has a mine called Nikki Gumbel and it has a simple format it is recognised simple format it is recognised simple format it is recognised particularly in a postmodern and particularly in a postmodern and particularly in a postmodern and millennial generation people like to millennial generation people like to millennial generation people like to come together they like to have a sense come together they like to have a sense come together they like to have a sense of belonging so they come together and of belonging so they come together and of belonging so they come together and we have a meal together which is a we have a meal together which is a we have a meal together which is a crucial part of it then a very short crucial part of it then a very short crucial part of it then a very short introduction to one of the key themes of introduction to one of the key themes of introduction to one of the key themes of the Bible you know why Jesus why pray the Bible you know why Jesus why pray the Bible you know why Jesus why pray you know what about the church and then you know what about the church and then you know what about the church and then a discussion group in which we enable a discussion group in which we enable a discussion group in which we enable people to talk without being given people to talk without being given people to talk without being given answers which is a key part of they said answers which is a key part of they said answers which is a key part of they said there's no pressure and not anything no there's no pressure and not anything no there's no pressure and not anything no pressure it's very postmodern interview pressure it's very postmodern interview pressure it's very postmodern interview that you know we'd like to hear what that you know we'd like to hear what that you know we'd like to hear what your views are the reason being that your views are the reason being that your views are the reason being that alpha takes people on a journey and as alpha takes people on a journey and as alpha takes people on a journey and as they learn in this journey say they get they learn in this journey say they get they learn in this journey say they get your stage where they see faith are your stage where they see faith are your stage where they see faith are filled with the Spirit of God and want

filled with the Spirit of God and want filled with the Spirit of God and want to live their lives in a very different to live their lives in a very different to live their lives in a very different way and we have seen just the most way and we have seen just the most way and we have seen just the most remarkable evidence of it whether it's remarkable evidence of it whether it's remarkable evidence of it whether it's in hardened hardened criminals in our in hardened hardened criminals in our in hardened hardened criminals in our prison system copy to faith and bringing prison system copy to faith and bringing prison system copy to faith and bringing the people with them whether it's the the people with them whether it's the the people with them whether it's the ritual the poor the educated the ritual the poor the educated the ritual the poor the educated the uneducated uneducated uneducated in this country in other countries 29 in this country in other countries 29 in this country in other countries 29 million people have been through the million people have been through the million people have been through the course and it is a work of God I mean course and it is a work of God I mean course and it is a work of God I mean people say oh well you're very good at people say oh well you're very good at people say oh well you're very good at marketing etc well I need any Christian marketing etc well I need any Christian marketing etc well I need any Christian organizations are very good at marketing organizations are very good at marketing organizations are very good at marketing if that isn't the test you know if that isn't the test you know if that isn't the test you know something fail some of them dead but I something fail some of them dead but I something fail some of them dead but I do think is just tapped into a way of do think is just tapped into a way of do think is just tapped into a way of sharing the good news of Jesus in a very sharing the good news of Jesus in a very sharing the good news of Jesus in a very sort of relaxed way with people who are sort of relaxed way with people who are sort of relaxed way with people who are seeking to go on this on a journey in seeking to go on this on a journey in seeking to go on this on a journey in finding Jesus on the journey mm-hmm so finding Jesus on the journey mm-hmm so finding Jesus on the journey mm-hmm so uh that is and one of its greatest uh that is and one of its greatest uh that is and one of its greatest strength I think it's totally strength I think it's totally strength I think it's totally nondenomination you have many people nondenomination you have many people nondenomination you have many people that are Catholics and Baptists and that are Catholics and Baptists and that are Catholics and Baptists and advocates and Pentecostals all coming advocates and Pentecostals all coming advocates and Pentecostals all coming together without any sort of together without any sort of together without any sort of distinctions or distinctions or distinctions or feelings of unease and that's just feelings of unease and that's just feelings of unease and that's just typical of a generation right yeah I if typical of a generation right yeah I if typical of a generation right yeah I if you haven't seen particular eyelids for you haven't seen particular eyelids for you haven't seen particular eyelids for the people that are listening in if you the people that are listening in if you the people that are listening in if you haven't seen the new Alpha film series haven't seen the new Alpha film series haven't seen the new Alpha film series that's pretty recent right like I just that's pretty recent right like I just that's pretty recent right like I just thought just not yeah did you really thought just not yeah did you really thought just not yeah did you really done because it's amazing the world yeah done because it's amazing the world yeah done because it's amazing the world yeah yeah it's so well done and the thing i yeah it's so well done and the thing i yeah it's so well done and the thing i want to encourage leaders who are

want to encourage leaders who are want to encourage leaders who are listening in so don't miss this so alpha listening in so don't miss this so alpha listening in so don't miss this so alpha has is literally born out of a culture has is literally born out of a culture has is literally born out of a culture where a lot of the communities where in where a lot of the communities where in where a lot of the communities where in are heading towards a are heading towards a are heading towards a post-christian post religious culture post-christian post religious culture post-christian post religious culture really still spiritual but really in a really still spiritual but really in a really still spiritual but really in a post-christian post religious post-christian post religious post-christian post religious environment and it's asking i think it's environment and it's asking i think it's environment and it's asking i think it's it's very well done its high quality and it's very well done its high quality and it's very well done its high quality and it's doing it in a way that we have to it's doing it in a way that we have to it's doing it in a way that we have to learn how to communicate with the learn how to communicate with the learn how to communicate with the assumptions that you know are really a assumptions that you know are really a assumptions that you know are really a bygone era of like this kind of assumed bygone era of like this kind of assumed bygone era of like this kind of assumed kind of Christian understanding kind of Christian understanding kind of Christian understanding we have to get over communicating like we have to get over communicating like we have to get over communicating like that we've got to communicate in a way that we've got to communicate in a way that we've got to communicate in a way that people you know who don't have any that people you know who don't have any that people you know who don't have any understanding of Scripture or very understanding of Scripture or very understanding of Scripture or very little understanding of Scripture can little understanding of Scripture can little understanding of Scripture can ultimately see Jesus more clearly and ultimately see Jesus more clearly and ultimately see Jesus more clearly and that's what I you know what it was what that's what I you know what it was what that's what I you know what it was what I love about alpha and particularly the I love about alpha and particularly the I love about alpha and particularly the new film series i think is so well done new film series i think is so well done new film series i think is so well done it's so I quality at the thing I love it's so I quality at the thing I love it's so I quality at the thing I love about about about you know alpha and I could be maybe you know alpha and I could be maybe you know alpha and I could be maybe because of the British roots I do feel because of the British roots I do feel because of the British roots I do feel like if it came out of like and I'm like if it came out of like and I'm like if it came out of like and I'm gonna kick my friends in like Nashville gonna kick my friends in like Nashville gonna kick my friends in like Nashville Tennessee if it came out of Nashville Tennessee if it came out of Nashville Tennessee if it came out of Nashville Tennessee man it would be like people Tennessee man it would be like people Tennessee man it would be like people would be ranting and raving about it and would be ranting and raving about it and would be ranting and raving about it and like making this huge deal and like it like making this huge deal and like it like making this huge deal and like it would be but then there's this there's would be but then there's this there's would be but then there's this there's this British you know I think cultural this British you know I think cultural this British you know I think cultural humility where it's like well you know humility where it's like well you know humility where it's like well you know 29 million people have gone through that 29 million people have gone through that 29 million people have gone through that but I'm like what that's amazing that's but I'm like what that's amazing that's but I'm like what that's amazing that's incredible so um you know I just be kind incredible so um you know I just be kind incredible so um you know I just be kind of it's hugely helpful particularly for

of it's hugely helpful particularly for of it's hugely helpful particularly for a modern generation if you're struggling a modern generation if you're struggling a modern generation if you're struggling with people young people leaving the with people young people leaving the with people young people leaving the church this I don't know any other tool church this I don't know any other tool church this I don't know any other tool that it's a tool many others I mean that that it's a tool many others I mean that that it's a tool many others I mean that that is as effective as drawing them that is as effective as drawing them that is as effective as drawing them back in as outfit know the current the back in as outfit know the current the back in as outfit know the current the switch to or I don't know if it's a switch to or I don't know if it's a switch to or I don't know if it's a switch but they're kind of the change on switch but they're kind of the change on switch but they're kind of the change on the most recent kind of film series what the most recent kind of film series what the most recent kind of film series what was some of the thinking behind that was some of the thinking behind that was some of the thinking behind that because it does seem it's been a while because it does seem it's been a while because it does seem it's been a while frankly since I'd looked in on alphas frankly since I'd looked in on alphas frankly since I'd looked in on alphas resources and this most recent version resources and this most recent version resources and this most recent version of it just seems um you know just it's of it just seems um you know just it's of it just seems um you know just it's different it has a different kind of different it has a different kind of different it has a different kind of feel to it but what drove that well what feel to it but what drove that well what feel to it but what drove that well what drove that is that we've got in order to drove that is that we've got in order to drove that is that we've got in order to stay ahead of the curve we have a stay ahead of the curve we have a stay ahead of the curve we have a continuing innovation process of continuing innovation process of continuing innovation process of innovating and changing and we realized innovating and changing and we realized innovating and changing and we realized that particularly for a younger that particularly for a younger that particularly for a younger generation actually having a talking generation actually having a talking generation actually having a talking head for 35 minutes you know that head for 35 minutes you know that head for 35 minutes you know that explaining some aspect of the gospel is explaining some aspect of the gospel is explaining some aspect of the gospel is great if you're already there but it great if you're already there but it great if you're already there but it doesn't really entice those who are not doesn't really entice those who are not doesn't really entice those who are not so we reformat it this whole thing by so we reformat it this whole thing by so we reformat it this whole thing by showing firstly the global nature and showing firstly the global nature and showing firstly the global nature and the cultural diversity of you all of the the cultural diversity of you all of the the cultural diversity of you all of the people who've been on alpha T we had to people who've been on alpha T we had to people who've been on alpha T we had to travel around the world and it's written travel around the world and it's written travel around the world and it's written in docu style it's a conversational in docu style it's a conversational in docu style it's a conversational style still with with you know works style still with with you know works style still with with you know works from from Nikki Gumbel and his words in from from Nikki Gumbel and his words in from from Nikki Gumbel and his words in there but much more what people would be there but much more what people would be there but much more what people would be used to watching if they were watching a used to watching if they were watching a used to watching if they were watching a documentary documentary documentary it again produces a very relaxed

it again produces a very relaxed it again produces a very relaxed atmosphere but the truths are all the atmosphere but the truths are all the atmosphere but the truths are all the same and those are the ones that this same and those are the ones that this same and those are the ones that this vehicle is enabling our people to to get vehicle is enabling our people to to get vehicle is enabling our people to to get at in a very modern way absolutely now at in a very modern way absolutely now at in a very modern way absolutely now changing gears a little bit I you know I changing gears a little bit I you know I changing gears a little bit I you know I want to hear a little bit about your want to hear a little bit about your want to hear a little bit about your most recent book so you've wrote this most recent book so you've wrote this most recent book so you've wrote this book it's called know your wife finding book it's called know your wife finding book it's called know your wife finding and fulfilling your calling in life and fulfilling your calling in life and fulfilling your calling in life why did you write this book what was why did you write this book what was why did you write this book what was kind of motivating you to say hey I want kind of motivating you to say hey I want kind of motivating you to say hey I want to take sit down yeah it's a lot of work to take sit down yeah it's a lot of work to take sit down yeah it's a lot of work to pull together you know sixty thousand to pull together you know sixty thousand to pull together you know sixty thousand birds to make it work what was it what birds to make it work what was it what birds to make it work what was it what was it that drove you to write this book was it that drove you to write this book was it that drove you to write this book well I think of all the questions and I well I think of all the questions and I well I think of all the questions and I spent up you know in the last 40 years spent up you know in the last 40 years spent up you know in the last 40 years or so the or so the or so the mentoring younger people mentoring mentoring younger people mentoring mentoring younger people mentoring people in the church the one question people in the church the one question people in the church the one question more than any other question and more than any other question and more than any other question and particularly intensively in the last particularly intensively in the last particularly intensively in the last seven years or so that has come up is seven years or so that has come up is seven years or so that has come up is you know you know what am i doing you you know you know what am i doing you you know you know what am i doing you know what is what is unique about what know what is what is unique about what know what is what is unique about what my calling is in life is there such a my calling is in life is there such a my calling is in life is there such a thing as calling or do I just muddle on thing as calling or do I just muddle on thing as calling or do I just muddle on and the reason for that is that we are and the reason for that is that we are and the reason for that is that we are whereas i would have had one maybe two whereas i would have had one maybe two whereas i would have had one maybe two jobs and rest of up in my life when i jobs and rest of up in my life when i jobs and rest of up in my life when i first started working first started working first started working no self-respecting millennial it would no self-respecting millennial it would no self-respecting millennial it would it would it would think of anything it would it would think of anything it would it would think of anything other than you know sort of half a dozen other than you know sort of half a dozen other than you know sort of half a dozen to a dozen right so that means one has to a dozen right so that means one has to a dozen right so that means one has to really understand what it is that to really understand what it is that to really understand what it is that that you're made of why God has called

that you're made of why God has called that you're made of why God has called you to a season and to enjoy that season you to a season and to enjoy that season you to a season and to enjoy that season and at the same time to be prepared at and at the same time to be prepared at and at the same time to be prepared at the right time to move into another the right time to move into another the right time to move into another season of life so it's this this room season of life so it's this this room season of life so it's this this room this desire for purpose for meaning and this desire for purpose for meaning and this desire for purpose for meaning and change meaning within a changing and change meaning within a changing and change meaning within a changing and very rapidly changing workplace that has very rapidly changing workplace that has very rapidly changing workplace that has created a lot of stress and anxiety but created a lot of stress and anxiety but created a lot of stress and anxiety but when you grab grasp this that you're when you grab grasp this that you're when you grab grasp this that you're loved your name and your cooled mmm the loved your name and your cooled mmm the loved your name and your cooled mmm the basis upon which judgments are made basis upon which judgments are made basis upon which judgments are made incredible to the flow and freedom and incredible to the flow and freedom and incredible to the flow and freedom and flourishing of life which if he flourishing of life which if he flourishing of life which if he previously had been really rather previously had been really rather previously had been really rather depressing so that's why no your why is depressing so that's why no your why is depressing so that's why no your why is uh is on the bookshelves down I'm very uh is on the bookshelves down I'm very uh is on the bookshelves down I'm very grateful for yeah absolutely you know I grateful for yeah absolutely you know I grateful for yeah absolutely you know I haven't had a chance i literally just haven't had a chance i literally just haven't had a chance i literally just got my hands on a copy yesterday i got my hands on a copy yesterday i got my hands on a copy yesterday i haven't had a chance to read it I thumb haven't had a chance to read it I thumb haven't had a chance to read it I thumb through it and it looks amazing looks through it and it looks amazing looks through it and it looks amazing looks like a great tool I think for church like a great tool I think for church like a great tool I think for church leaders who you know as they're engaging leaders who you know as they're engaging leaders who you know as they're engaging with their people trying to help again with their people trying to help again with their people trying to help again you know communicate as you're saying you know communicate as you're saying you know communicate as you're saying around what are people's purpose and around what are people's purpose and around what are people's purpose and identity in life you know I think it identity in life you know I think it identity in life you know I think it could be a great tool for folks it's a could be a great tool for folks it's a could be a great tool for folks it's a great time of year people are looking great time of year people are looking great time of year people are looking for Christmas gifts so you know it could for Christmas gifts so you know it could for Christmas gifts so you know it could be a great you know you start you start be a great you know you start you start be a great you know you start you start preparing for Christmas like yeah yeah preparing for Christmas like yeah yeah preparing for Christmas like yeah yeah no that's I one of the things also to no that's I one of the things also to no that's I one of the things also to say that yes it is true that it's an say that yes it is true that it's an say that yes it is true that it's an individual to know I know my why is an individual to know I know my why is an individual to know I know my why is an important bit but we need to realize important bit but we need to realize important bit but we need to realize that worldwide our country is no

that worldwide our country is no that worldwide our country is no different I dare say the same as yours different I dare say the same as yours different I dare say the same as yours there is an identity crisis about what there is an identity crisis about what there is an identity crisis about what it is that we are as a society trying to it is that we are as a society trying to it is that we are as a society trying to achieve and therefore it is true of a of achieve and therefore it is true of a of achieve and therefore it is true of a of a citizen as it is of a community of a a citizen as it is of a community of a a citizen as it is of a community of a church of a city another country now church of a city another country now church of a city another country now your why is this desire and for it your why is this desire and for it your why is this desire and for it identity is a identity is a identity is a essential break in in in what I believe essential break in in in what I believe essential break in in in what I believe God is building for us to help our God is building for us to help our God is building for us to help our countrymen understand that you can nego countrymen understand that you can nego countrymen understand that you can nego why there is a God who is able to help why there is a God who is able to help why there is a God who is able to help us on that journey very cool well I kind us on that journey very cool well I kind us on that journey very cool well I kind of as we wrap up you know I I would love of as we wrap up you know I I would love of as we wrap up you know I I would love to hear from you if you give a very University to interact with leaders all University to interact with leaders all over the world what would you say to you over the world what would you say to you over the world what would you say to you know some church leaders in North know some church leaders in North know some church leaders in North America as we're trying to serve our America as we're trying to serve our America as we're trying to serve our culture as we're trying to reach the culture as we're trying to reach the culture as we're trying to reach the people that God has put you know in our people that God has put you know in our people that God has put you know in our communities what what advice or what communities what what advice or what communities what what advice or what counsel would you give to us as we try counsel would you give to us as we try counsel would you give to us as we try to wrestle with those issues in our part to wrestle with those issues in our part to wrestle with those issues in our part of the world well I wouldn't I wouldn't of the world well I wouldn't I wouldn't of the world well I wouldn't I wouldn't presume to be able to give you very much presume to be able to give you very much presume to be able to give you very much but an observance just from where we are but an observance just from where we are but an observance just from where we are two things the first is that two things the first is that two things the first is that you're younger you're younger you're younger you're young adults that you're young you're young adults that you're young you're young adults that you're young people that 20 is coming into the people that 20 is coming into the people that 20 is coming into the workplace are drifting away at a rate workplace are drifting away at a rate workplace are drifting away at a rate that is perfectly alarming it's us alpha that is perfectly alarming it's us alpha that is perfectly alarming it's us alpha statistics are true we've experienced

statistics are true we've experienced statistics are true we've experienced this but probably maybe 10 or 15 years this but probably maybe 10 or 15 years this but probably maybe 10 or 15 years before you right previously alpha didn't before you right previously alpha didn't before you right previously alpha didn't it didn't take off in the US it is now it didn't take off in the US it is now it didn't take off in the US it is now because you seem to be a you know we because you seem to be a you know we because you seem to be a you know we were all Christian so why do you want an were all Christian so why do you want an were all Christian so why do you want an evangelistic post ZB unto Christ and evangelistic post ZB unto Christ and evangelistic post ZB unto Christ and it's taking off now because many of the it's taking off now because many of the it's taking off now because many of the churches are realizing that this is what churches are realizing that this is what churches are realizing that this is what is happening people are drifting from is happening people are drifting from is happening people are drifting from the faith no faith and the nuns are the faith no faith and the nuns are the faith no faith and the nuns are growing growing growing generation that is not educated in generation that is not educated in generation that is not educated in church of the Bible so that's very church of the Bible so that's very church of the Bible so that's very important to just recognize some of the important to just recognize some of the important to just recognize some of the experience we've had in the skill experience we've had in the skill experience we've had in the skill ization process the second is ization process the second is ization process the second is it's profoundly serious for the world if it's profoundly serious for the world if it's profoundly serious for the world if America loses its confidence in the America loses its confidence in the America loses its confidence in the gospel hmm that is really really gospel hmm that is really really gospel hmm that is really really challenging hmm challenging hmm challenging hmm okay I appreciate that I appreciate that okay I appreciate that I appreciate that okay I appreciate that I appreciate that word I appreciate you you know being on word I appreciate you you know being on word I appreciate you you know being on today and and you know just the work today and and you know just the work today and and you know just the work that you do I just want to say thank you that you do I just want to say thank you that you do I just want to say thank you for your you know the support that for your you know the support that for your you know the support that you've given to alpha over the years the you've given to alpha over the years the you've given to alpha over the years the difference it's made in so many people's difference it's made in so many people's difference it's made in so many people's lives the way it's helped so many lives the way it's helped so many lives the way it's helped so many churches and you know appreciate that churches and you know appreciate that churches and you know appreciate that you're continuing as an organization you're continuing as an organization you're continuing as an organization continuing to push to the future and say continuing to push to the future and say continuing to push to the future and say hey yet you know it worked great 15-20 hey yet you know it worked great 15-20 hey yet you know it worked great 15-20 years ago but we've got to reinvent this years ago but we've got to reinvent this years ago but we've got to reinvent this we've got to think about the future we've got to think about the future we've got to think about the future we've got to reach new folks and I we've got to reach new folks and I we've got to reach new folks and I appreciate that if people want to get in appreciate that if people want to get in appreciate that if people want to get in touch with you you know learn more about

touch with you you know learn more about touch with you you know learn more about your book or in touch with alpha how can your book or in touch with alpha how can your book or in touch with alpha how can they do that what's the best way for they do that what's the best way for they do that what's the best way for them to do those things well the two them to do those things well the two them to do those things well the two ways well you know is clearly by the ways well you know is clearly by the ways well you know is clearly by the book amazon or barnes & noble or what book amazon or barnes & noble or what book amazon or barnes & noble or what bookstores that that they close to UM bookstores that that they close to UM bookstores that that they close to UM would be the first place the second would be the first place the second would be the first place the second would be God at work dog to UK would be God at work dog to UK would be God at work dog to UK or the know your why or the know your why or the know your why Facebook good website that they can Facebook good website that they can Facebook good website that they can happen they that they can access and you happen they that they can access and you happen they that they can access and you know for those who are loose a Qing for know for those who are loose a Qing for know for those who are loose a Qing for their why find your way no your why and their why find your way no your why and their why find your way no your why and when you find it help others to find when you find it help others to find when you find it help others to find theirs thank you for tuning in to this theirs thank you for tuning in to this theirs thank you for tuning in to this week's unsung nari podcast don't be shy week's unsung nari podcast don't be shy week's unsung nari podcast don't be shy we'd love to connect check out on we'd love to connect check out on we'd love to connect check out on seminary in box you can sign up at seminary in box you can sign up at seminary in box you can sign up at unsummon airy calm and Wilson you unsummon airy calm and Wilson you unsummon airy calm and Wilson you helpful training resources every week helpful training resources every week helpful training resources every week plus you'll gain immediate access to our plus you'll gain immediate access to our plus you'll gain immediate access to our exclusive members area with tons of exclusive members area with tons of exclusive members area with tons of resources you can use connect with rich resources you can use connect with rich resources you can use connect with rich on twitter at rich birch or through on twitter at rich birch or through on twitter at rich birch or through email rich at unsummon airy calm don't email rich at unsummon airy calm don't email rich at unsummon airy calm don't forget to check out the show notes for forget to check out the show notes for forget to check out the show notes for this episode at unset maneri calm this episode at unset maneri calm this episode at unset maneri calm includes links to what we talked about includes links to what we talked about includes links to what we talked about today and more leave a comment we'd love today and more leave a comment we'd love today and more leave a comment we'd love to hear from you did you enjoy today's to hear from you did you enjoy today's to hear from you did you enjoy today's episode drop by itunes and leave a episode drop by itunes and leave a episode drop by itunes and leave a review thanks again for tuning in to review thanks again for tuning in to review thanks again for tuning in to this week's on seminary podcast join us this week's on seminary podcast join us this week's on seminary podcast join us next week when we'll learn more stuff we next week when we'll learn more stuff we next week when we'll learn more stuff we wish they taught in seminary